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Crews tried to rescue man but he refused to leave

A man is found dead in his home during a fire after refusing to leave.

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Updated: 5:10 PM CST Feb 9, 2016

Crews tried to rescue man but he refused to leave

A man is found dead in his home during a fire after refusing to leave.

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Updated: 5:10 PM CST Feb 9, 2016

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WEBVTT NOW HOURS LATER, BOARDS COVER , 14 THE WINDOWS AND DOORS OFFICIALS BUSTED DOWN DESPERATELY TRYING TO SAVE THE MAN. PLUMES OF SMOKE POURED FROM THE WINDOWS OF THIS WESTSIDE HOME OVERNIGHT AS RESCUE CREWS BATTLED BONE CHILLING TEMPERATURES AND THE HOMEOWNER. INSIDE, 48-YEAR-OLD NEIL JOHNSTON, RUNNING FROM ROOM TO ROOM AND THREATENING TO HURT THE POLICE OFFICERS TRYING TO SAVE HIM. >> WE JUST WANTED TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON, WHY HE WAS OUT IN THE FRONT YARD SCREAMING AND YELLING AND CREATING A RUCKUS AT MIDNIGHT. >> HE'S OUTSIDE YELLING AND SCREAMING. HE LIVES AT 2500 59TH. >> THAT WAS REALLY OUR INTEREST AT THAT POINT. IT BECAME A RESCUE EFFORT TO GET HIM OUT OF THE HOME ONCE THE FIRE ERUPTED. KIM: THICK SMOKE INSIDE THE HOME FORCED POLICE OFFICERS TO BACK OFF. FIREFIGHTERS HAD TO SIT AND WAIT TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES FOR 10 MINUTES. >> WE DON'T HAVE A CASE WHERE WE CAN'T DO OUR JOB BECAUSE THE SCENE IS UNSAFE. >> THEY WOUDN'T EXPECT US TO TRY AND KNOCK THAT FIRE DOWN, WE'RE NOT GONNA EXPECT THEM TO GO IN THERE AND DEAL WITH SOMEONE WHO IS ARMED. KIM: RESCUE CREWS EVENTUALLY BUSTED DOWN THE DOORS, AND FOUND JOHNSTON DEAD. POLICE STAND BY THEIR DECISION TO CALL OFF THE RESCUE. >> WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO

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Crews tried to rescue man but he refused to leave

A man is found dead in his home during a fire after refusing to leave.